World
Several People Killed and Injured After Driver Plows into Crowd at Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver
A tragic incident unfolded Saturday night at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, where a driver plowed into a crowd, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
According to preliminary reports, at least eight people, including a child, have been confirmed dead, and at least six others were critically injured.
Vancouver Police have not officially confirmed the final number of casualties but are expected to provide an update at a press conference scheduled for midnight local time.
Witnesses reported that a black Audi SUV drove through the crowded festival area around 8:00 p.m. near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street.
Festival attendees described scenes of panic and chaos, with people yelling, screaming, and rushing to escape the vehicle’s path as it struck vendors and pedestrians.
Vancouver Police confirmed that the driver responsible for the incident is in custody.
Authorities have yet to release a motive but noted that the suspect may have had prior interactions with law enforcement as recently as the day before the incident.
Sources also indicate the individual has a history of mental health challenges.
In a statement released Saturday evening, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy:
“We are shocked and saddened by this horrific incident at the Lapu Lapu Day event. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available,” he said.
Deana Lancaster, a spokesperson for Vancouver General Hospital—the region’s top trauma center—confirmed that the hospital was receiving multiple patients from the scene.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed the black SUV believed to have been involved in the attack, and festival attendees described the terrifying moments leading up to the crash.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact Vancouver Police immediately.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.